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Ronaldo Demands Lifetime Bans for Jota Chants Against Neves
Confirmed
In Short: Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime bans to be issued to fans who chanted the name of his late teammate Diogo Jota at Ruben Neves during a Saudi Pro League match.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the star forward for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and a former teammate of Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota, has demanded that fans responsible for chants mocking Jota's death be permanently banned from football stadiums. The chants, which targeted Neves during Al-Hilal's 6-0 win against Al-Taawoun in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, were particularly distressing given the close bond between Neves and Jota, who tragically died in a car crash in July 2025.
According to reports, supporters at the match repeatedly shouted "Jota" at Neves, who was visibly upset by the chants. Neves, who was a pallbearer at Jota's funeral, expressed his disappointment and frustration, stating, "I just hope they don't go to pray later." This incident has reignited discussions about the appropriate behavior of fans and the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Ronaldo, who also played with Jota and Neves for the Portugal national team, wrote on social media, "The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behavior." His statement echoes the sentiments of many football fans and players who believe that such chants are not only disrespectful but also deeply hurtful to those affected by the loss of loved ones.
The chants occurred during a match between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal, where Neves was playing for Al-Hilal. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from both fans and media outlets, with many calling for immediate action to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The Saudi Pro League has yet to comment on the matter, but the pressure is mounting for them to address the issue promptly.
Ronaldo's call for lifetime bans is not just a personal stance but a reflection of the broader issue of fan behavior in football. The incident has highlighted the need for stricter regulations and enforcement of rules regarding fan conduct, especially in light of the sensitive nature of the situation involving the late Diogo Jota. As the football community grapples with this issue, the hope is that such incidents will become less frequent and that the sport can maintain its integrity and respect for all involved.
What's confirmed
- Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and was a Portugal team-mate of the late Diogo Jota Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime bans to be issued to fans who chanted the late Diogo Jota's name towards his international team-mate Ruben Neves.
- Supporters appeared to target Al-Hilal midfielder Neves before his side's 6-0 win against Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday by repeatedly shouting "Jota" at him.
- "The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour," forward Ronaldo, who also plays in the Saudi league for Al-Nassr, wrote on social media.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has called for the Saudi Pro League to ban fans for life after appalling Diogo Jota chants were aimed at Ruben Neves on Saturday.
- Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves subjected to chants at Al-Taawoun Neves was close friend of Jota and pallbearer at funeral Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves subjected to chants at Al-Taawoun Neves was close friend of Jota and pallbearer at funeral Cristiano Ronaldo said that fans who appeared to make chants referencing his former teammate Diogo Jota at Rúben Neves during a Saudi Pro League match should be banned for life from football stadiums.
- The chants occurred on Saturday during a fixture between Al-Taawoun and Neves’s side, Al-Hilal, in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
- Jota died last year in a car crash in Zamora, north-western Spain, along with his brother André Silva.
- Footage filmed from the stands during the match and circulated on social media appeared to show supporters chanting “Jota”.
What's still developing
- Passing journalists after the game, Neves said of those aiming the chants at him: ‘I just hope they don’t go to pray later.’ ‘When I go to the selection, you’ll still be next to me at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me as always.
- Neves and Jota were close friends and the 29-year-old carried his coffin at the heart-breaking funeral last summer after the tragic car crash that killed Jota and brother Andre Silva.
- He revealed last year that he had a tattoo etched onto his leg depicting him embracing Jota, a lasting tribute to their bond.
- The deeply uncomfortable scenes unfolded on Saturday during Al-Hilal's clash with Al-Taawoun, when a section of the home support repeatedly chanted Jota's name at Neves in what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to provoke him.
- Writing on Instagram on Sunday, Ronaldo declared: Neves himself addressed the incident briefly as he moved through the post-match mixed zone after Al-Hilal's dominant 6-0 victory.
- Jota died in July 2025 at the age of 28, alongside his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, when the car they were travelling in came off the road in Zamora, Spain.
- Roberto Martinez, then head coach, said Neves had a very close relationship with Jota and was the ideal person to represent him.
- Footage circulated widely on social media after Al-Hilal's 6-0 win at Al-Taawoun, filmed from the home stands showing Neves standing over a free-kick close to the supporters when chants of "Jota, Jota, Jota" became audible.